by Ryan, Kaylee
Speaking of training camp, it’s been long and grueling as it always is, but I’ve missed it. I love the game, and this season I feel invigorated. My rookie season was outstanding, and my five-year contract shows that, but this year still feels different. Instead of wishing Reese were watching, wondering if she was viewing from home, I know my biggest cheerleader will be with me for every game. Maybe not always in the stands, but in my heart. This time, I know I’m in hers as well.
“Cooper!” My name is called out by the media.
It’s the last day of camp, and they’re swarming as we just wrapped up. I hate this part of the gig, having microphones and cameras shoved in your face. I just have to remind myself that this is my job. It’s what I get paid to do.
“Cooper, Harold Johnston, ABN News,” he says, stepping in my path. “You’ve been on fire out on the field. Can you tell us what prompted this? Your stats show you’re a gifted player, but the coaching staff seems to be raving about your training camp readiness,” he says.
I grin. “I guess that’s what happens when everything in your life aligns.”
“Meaning?” he asks, shoving the microphone back into my face.
“Meaning, I got engaged during the off-season to my best friend and the love of my life.” I shrug.
“Can we get a name?” another reporter yells out.
“Reese.” I smile into the camera. “Her name is Reese, and her last name isn’t important because she’s about to become a Reeves.” I grin. Let them chew on that.
“Cooper!” another one yells.
I wave at them and push through the crowd to the locker room. I can only handle so much. I gave them the juicy details that will sell their papers and let the world know that Cooper Reeves is as good as a married man. Besides, I’m going home to see my future wife, and that’s what matters.
I rush through a shower, pack my shit, and head home. Pulling up to the gate, I enter the code and drive up our lane. It’s damn good to be home. Although this place is still new to us, knowing that this is where she’s been laying her head at night, it makes it my home. She’s sent me pictures of how she’s been organizing and decorating, and I’m excited to see it all in real life. Almost as excited as I am to hold her in my arms and take her to bed.
I’ve missed my girl.
“Honey, I’m home!” I call out. I hear a screech and then footsteps as they race down the stairs. I barely have time to drop my bag to the floor before she’s flying into my arms. I catch her easily as she wraps her arms and legs around me.
“I missed you so much!” she says, burying her face in my neck.
“I missed you too, baby,” I say, moving us to the living room, and sitting on the couch that we picked out together.
She pulls back, and her smile lights up her face. “I can’t wait to show you everything. Come on.” She tries to stand, but I hold tight.
“I want to see it. I promise you, I do. Right now, I just want to hold you.”
“How can I argue with that?” she asks, snuggling back up to me.
“Tell me what’s been going on?”
“Just getting the house in order. I have all of our things unpacked. The bedroom furniture was delivered, and the bed looks so damn comfortable. I can’t wait to sleep in it tonight.”
“Where have you been sleeping?” I ask her.
“In my old bed in one of the spare bedrooms. I just didn’t feel right that you weren’t here.” She shrugs.
I kiss her hard, needing her to feel how much I love her. “What else?” I say, panting as I pull away from her kiss.
“I found office furniture that I love, and it was delivered last week. I got it all set up and organized, and I’m ready to dive into the foundation. I’ve been working with John, and all of the paperwork has been filed and approved. The Latham Reeves Foundation is official.”
“You’re going to do amazing things, future Mrs. Reeves.”
She grins. “Fiji.”
“What about Fiji?”
“That’s where I want to get married. I just want it to be our parents, and if Nixon and Tessa can make it, that would be great. And anyone you want to be there.”
“You. All I want is you. You have my schedule, and you said your Amex arrived, right?” I ask. She nods. “Good. Make it happen. Just tell me when and where, or if you want me to handle it, I can do that too. Just tell me what you need, baby.”
“You and me in Fiji.”
“How did you come to decide on the location?” I ask, running my fingers through her hair.
“I typed in destination weddings, and it popped up. The images are beautiful.”
“How soon can we make this happen?”
“Well, with the season, it’s going to be difficult, especially if we want Nix and Tess to be there.”
Damn. “So, what you’re telling me is that I have to wait until after the Bowl game to marry you?”
“Probably.”
“That’s too far away.”
“It’s a few months at best. That will give our parents time to plan to be off work, and us time to plan it all out.”
“What do you need from me to make this happen?”
“Nothing. I found an amazing resort. I can show you pictures later. If you like it, I’ll call and set it up. Then I just need to tell our families, Nix and Tess, and find a dress.”
I can’t help but think about the last time she was in a wedding dress and how it all ended. “Do you have one in mind?” I ask her.
“Simple. Elegant. Flowing,” she replies wistfully.
“Anything you want, baby. I can’t wait to marry you.”
“Me too, Coop. Me too.”
We spend the next hour talking about life and getting caught up. She tells me more about what she’s been up to and her ideas for the foundation, while I tell her about camp and how stoked I am about the team this year. “I really think we have a Bowl team,” I tell her. All the guys are on point this season.
“I know you’re going to kill it.” She kisses my chin. “Now, let’s take a tour. I’m dying to show you what I’ve done while you were gone.”
We start in the kitchen as she shows me how she has it all organized, and we go room to room. There are pictures of us from when we were kids to now all through the house, and it tells our story.
“This room,” she smiles up at me, “I’m not sure about. If there is anything that you don’t like, we can change it.”
“I’m sure it’s perfect,” I say as we stand outside the office that we decided would be mine. “Open the door, Reese. The suspense is killing me.”
“Remember, we can change it if you don’t like it.”
“Baby….” I lean down and kiss her, then pick her up and move her out of the way. As I push open the door, the first thing I notice is the dark mahogany desk that I picked out a few days before leaving for camp. It’s all set up with my laptop and a framed picture of us. I recognize it as my first game at CU.
Next, my eyes land on the framed jerseys on the wall. “How did you get all of these?” I ask. My Pop Warner jersey, my high school jersey, the jersey from CU, and now the Defenders. They’re all framed and sitting proudly on my office walls.
“Your mom. She had the Pop Warner and high school. I found your CU jersey in some of the boxes I was unpacking, and the Defenders jersey is the one they gave you on draft day.
“The curio cabinet, you might not like, but I wanted to be able to display your achievements. There are going to be so many more I wanted it to be a safe place to display them.” She points to the cabinet sitting in the corner.
It’s filled with the trophies of my youth, all the way through college. There are ring holders sitting on the top shelf. One with my three college rings and another sits empty. “What’s up with the empty one?” I ask her.
“Future Bowl ring.”
I walk to where she’s standing just inside the door and press my lips to hers. “It’s perfect, Reese. Thank you for doing all of this
.”
“I enjoyed it.” She slides her arms around my waist. “Let’s go see the rest of the house.”
We head to the basement where the theatre room is set up, and the pool table has been delivered. “I didn’t do much down here. I just pointed to where you wanted everything and figured you could make this man cave how you want it.”
“I think we need a poker table,” I tell her, and she nods. “Yeah, I thought you might say that. And you’re going to need to stock the bar.” She indicates to where the new bar and stools sit in the corner by the small kitchenette.
“Now the upstairs,” she says. With my hand in hers, she guides me back up to the main level of the house and then up the stairs. “I used our beds to make two spare bedrooms for now, for when we have guests. The furniture in our room is here, and I love it,” she says excitedly.
We stop at each room so I can see what she’s done, and there are two empties. I wonder how long she wants to be married before we start working on our family? I don’t have a chance to ask her as she leads us into the master bedroom, and I take it all in. The huge king-size four-poster bed we ordered is positioned in the center of the room. The matching dressers and nightstands complete the look. At the foot of the bed is the TV that rises when we’re watching and then slides back into the deep mahogany wood case that it’s housed in when we’re not. We splurged a little on that, but I wanted this room to be perfect.
It’s our sanctuary.
“All of your clothes are in that dresser or hung up in your closet,” she says from where she stands next to me.
I turn to look at her. “I love this, and I love you. You are what makes this place a home, Reese.” My lips touch hers. It’s meant to be brief, but it’s anything but. Within minutes, we’re both stripped of our clothes, and I make love to her for the first time in our new bed. We nap and make love all afternoon, and it’s my new favorite thing to do.
Chapter 22
Reese
It’s game day. The first home game of the regular season. Cooper’s parents and mine are here staying with us. It’s also the first time they are getting to see our house. They all fell in love with it. Cooper and our dads spent some time in the basement playing poker while Mom, Ann, and I sat around catching up.
“I’m glad our parents are coming today,” Cooper says.
We’re lying in bed watching the clock. He has to leave soon for the stadium. We had breakfast with everyone, and as soon as the kitchen was cleaned up, Cooper pulled me upstairs with him. He climbed into bed, and I followed. This is where we’ve been ever since.
“Me too. Although, don’t you think it’s a little rude that we just left them down there?”
“No. They’ve been here for four days, Reese. We’ve spent time with them. I just needed some me and you time before I leave.”
“It’s a home game,” I remind him. “You’ll be coming home to me tonight.”
“I know. I can’t explain it even if I tried.” He sighs heavily. “Last season I was a mess. All I could think about was you, and missing you. This time it’s different. I just need to hold you a little longer. I know you’re going to be there, but I just needed this time with you.”
“I’m not complaining,” I say, pulling him into a kiss. “I did think you dragged me up here for sex. I wasn’t expecting teddy bear Cooper.”
“Teddy bear Cooper?”
“Yeah, you know, when you want to cuddle and be all sweet.”
“As opposed to?”
“Sexy Cooper.”
“Sexy Cooper?” He laughs.
“Yeah, you know, when you get all growly and demanding.”
“You think I’m sexy?”
“You know I do.”
“What about when we’re making love?” he asks, kissing my neck. “What am I then?”
“Mine.” I breathe the words as his teeth nibble at my ear.
“Good answer, baby.”
My eyes glance over at the clock, and I know he has to go or he’s going to be late. “Coop, you need to get going.”
“I know,” he says, resting his forehead against my shoulder. “I’ll see you after?”
“We kind of live together, so it’s a sure thing,” I tease.
“Thank fuck for that.” He rolls out of bed and saunters into the bathroom. Ten minutes later, he appears with his bag in his hand. “Walk me out.”
I nod and follow him downstairs. The sound of our parents talking carries up from the basement. “They sound like they’re having a good time,” I comment.
“They do. I’m glad they’re here.” We walk out into the garage, and he kisses me soundly. “I left something for you. It’s hanging in your closet.”
“Babe, have you seen my closet? That will be like finding a needle in a haystack.”
“Trust me, you’ll find it.” With another quick kiss, he climbs in his truck and pulls out of the garage. I hit the button for the door, and head back inside to find my gift and to get ready.
Walking into the closet, my eyes scan, and I stop when I see a Defenders jersey. Pulling it off the hanger, I take a look. It’s just like the one I already own, that is until I flip it to the back. Instead of REEVES on the back, it says MRS. REEVES. At the top, in small cursive letters, the word Future is added. I’m all smiles as I pick up my phone and dial his number.
“Miss me already?”
“I found my present.”
“And?”
“Don’t you think it’s a little over the top?” I ask.
“Nope. You are my future wife, are you not?”
“Yes.”
“I want the whole damn world to know it, Reese. I’ll be looking for you in the stands, the media is going to be looking for you after my comment that’s been on every damn sports station. I want them to know who you are. I want them to know that you’re mine.”
How do I say no to that? “Well, all right then.”
He laughs. “Love you. I’ll see you soon.”
“Love you too. Have a great game.”
“You’re going to be there, you know I will,” he replies, and the line goes dead.
Sliding my Defenders jersey that I already had on off, I put on the new one. I glance in the mirror at my reflection. I’m wearing jeans that are ripped in the knee, tennis shoes, and my jersey. My hair is pulled up in a ponytail, and I plan on sporting my Cooper Reeves Defenders hat. I look like any other fan who’s going to be in that stadium today. Everything except for the five-carat diamond ring adorning my left hand, and the jersey claiming me as his.
Grabbing my hat from where I left it on the nightstand, I pull it on and snap a picture front and back using the mirror and send them to Cooper.
Cooper: My girl.
Smiling like the fool in love that I am, I slide my phone into the back pocket of my jeans and head downstairs to find our parents.
* * *
“And the Defenders take home a win!” The announcer’s voice echoes throughout the stadium.
“They’re kicking off this season with a bang,” his co-anchor agrees.
“That they are. Fans, stick around and keep your eyes on the jumbotron screens at either side of the stadium for interviews from your favorite players,” they inform the crowd.
“Oh, he hates this part,” I tell our parents. Cooper got us amazing seats, right on the fifty-yard line. We had our choice of one of the private booths, but all five of us said we wanted to be in the crowd in the action.
“Excuse me.” I turn to look over my shoulder. “I saw your jersey,” a woman says. “My son is a huge fan of Cooper’s. Would it be possible to get your autograph?” the woman asks sweetly.
“Uh, sure.” I smile. Glancing over at our parents, I shrug and turn to face them. She hands me a Defenders T-shirt.
“Anywhere is fine,” she says, handing me a black Sharpie. Turning the shirt over in my hand, I see Cooper’s name scrawled across the number. “He signed it before the game,” the mom explains.
Wi
th shaking hands, I poise the Sharpie to sign my name when an idea hits. Instead of my full name, I sign Future Mrs. Reeves, and Cooper’s number underneath. I hand the shirt to the little boy. “Here you go, buddy.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Reeves,” he says, smiling wide.
My heart flutters in my chest. I’m going to be Mrs. Reeves. My grin is infectious as I look over at our parents, who are also smiling as they watch me. I can feel my face heat, but I own in. I’m happy. My heart is happy. Cooper and I have fought a long hard fight to be where we are, and I’m going to enjoy every damn minute of it.
“Cooper, great game out there today.” A female reporter stops him.
His smiling, sweaty face appears on the screen. “Thanks.”
“Two touchdowns, on a three-touchdown winning game, how does it feel?”
“It feels good to bring home the first win of the regular season. My teammates and I have worked hard for this, and we all showed up to play.”
“Rumor has it you got engaged in the off-season,” she comments.
Again, I can feel my face heat. It feels as though the eyes of all those around me are focused on me and not Cooper. I don’t dare look. Instead, I keep a smile plastered on my face, red cheeks and all, and keep my attention on the screen where my man is surely about to embarrass me even more.
Cooper’s smile lights up the entire stadium. “The rumor is true. I’m marrying my best friend.”
“Does this friend have a name?” the reporter asks.
“Future Mrs. Reeves.” He grins cheekily.
The reporter smiles at him, and then something in her features changes. I can’t describe it, and I don’t have time to because she opens her mouth, and the words she speaks has bile rising up in my throat. “Rumor also has it that she left her fiancé at the altar for you. How well do you know the future Mrs. Reeves?” she asks smugly.